Skywatcher EQ8-R Pro latest version

[SB (Chris)]

Originally Posted by Startrek

Thanks
I just watched a YouTube of Trevor Jones from Astrobackyard setting up his EQ8-R mount and yes the counterweight bar points down in front of the front single tripod leg
Whoosh had a few panic attacks earlier on thinking my concrete piers are wrong. I did pour them over a year ago and did check the EQ8-R mount on line at the time , but you forget after a while
All Good !!

Hi Martin,
Interesting!

My EQ6-R CW hang between the two legs (that's how it came from the factory). A quick look at Trevor Jones Astrobackyard EQ6-R review shows the same config. So what is correct? Is the arrangement different for the EQ8 perhaps?

Something in the back of my mind says that the CW between the two legs minimises the risk of the image train clashing with the mount legs.

I have just taken my mount apart and the leg config can be switched so I will wait for feedback before setting back up.
Thanks

SB

[Startrek (Martin)]

Glad it’s reversible
I’ve always set up single front leg facing south
You have a point about minimising risk of scope clashing with legs but that should only occur near the zenith passing the meridian and I’m always there ready for a flip whether automated or manual
Cheers

[stephen2615 (Stephen)]

When I first got my NEQ6, I followed the instructions from the manual and that had the two tripod feet on the same side as the counterweight (CW) bar. The dowel was already in position. I must have shown a pic of this and I was informed by a number of people to put the single tripod leg under the CW bar. Of course, I ignored that advice as I am a know it all lawyer. I had three bits of paint on a slab to put my tripod feet as I didn't leave it out especially in hot weather.

The EQ8-R turned up and it had the opposite setting to my NEQ6. I couldn't put the feet on the paint spots and I couldn't do anything about it as there is no option about moving the dowel. I was forced to rotate the mount 180 degrees and there wasn't any slab where one of the feet was supposed to go. If I moved the tripod a foot to the west, I would not have a good polar alignment position. So one of my feet is sitting on a paver over some paving sand. It does the job until I get my slab.

So the moral of this story is to not read the directions.

My first meridian flip was the only time I have ever seen it. It was very close due to my filter-wheel. I think there was about 40 mm spare.

Is your signature accurate? Do you not use PixInsight? It is an amazing bit of software and worth every cent.

[raymo]

I used EQ mounts for well over 60 yrs, and every one of them, and every other one that I encountered, had the CWs above the front leg, which was pointed at the appropriate pole. That includes my last mount which was an HEQ5.
The reason is obvious. With the legs splayed like a giraffe, it is super easy
to tip the mount[and scope] forward and destroy the scope and damage the mount. You can push over a giraffe style set up mount with an 8" Newt on board with one hand. Even a stumble in the dark will easily tip it over.
None of this would apply to very large and heavy rigs of course; rigs larger than an EQ8 for example.
In addition to the above, with the single leg at the rear, the mount becomes much
less stable; the weight of much of the scope is overhanging the space between the legs, as is all the weight of the shaft and CWs,
meaning that the weight on the rear leg is greatly reduced. With the single leg below the CWs it is almost impossible to tip the rig forward onto its"nose".
raymo

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by raymo

I used EQ mounts for well over 60 yrs, and every one of them, and every other one that I encountered, had the CWs above the front leg, which was pointed at the appropriate pole. That includes my last mount which was an HEQ5.
The reason is obvious. With the legs splayed like a giraffe, it is super easy
to tip the mount[and scope] forward and destroy the scope and damage the mount. You can push over a giraffe style set up mount with an 8" Newt on board with one hand. Even a stumble in the dark will easily tip it over.
None of this would apply to very large and heavy rigs of course; rigs larger than an EQ8 for example.
raymo

Raymo,
Thanks for your great analogy using the giraffe
An excellent well experienced explanation
Cheers
Martin

[raymo]

Thanks Martin; I added a little bit more, if you care to read it.
raymo

[stephen2615 (Stephen)]

Raymo,

That's an excellent explanation. Makes me wonder why the manufacturer doesn't put that configuration in the user manual.

Cheers

Stephen

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by raymo

Thanks Martin; I added a little bit more, if you care to read it.
raymo

I did read it all ?

[raymo]

Hi Martin, Your response to my post showed my post ending at my
mentioning the EQ8. I added several lines to it, and assumed you had read it before my edit took place.
raymo